Prescribed burning scheduled for Tuesday, November 7 near June Lake Junction

BISHOP, Calif., November 2, 2023 — Inyo National Forest firefighters are planning to conduct a 311-acre prescribed burn east of the town of June Lake as early as next week, Tuesday November 7 to reduce hazardous fuels and create defensible space. Ignitions are expected to take place for a few days, depending on weather, but may continue up until November 14.

As different phases of the prescribed burns are met, information will be released via:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/inyonf
• Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/inyo/alerts-notices

Smoke and flame will be highly visible from Highway 395 and all throughout the Mono Basin area, especially on Highway 158 (June Lake Loop) and the town of June Lake.

Firefighters are hoping to burn approximately 236 acres in the “Bowl” unit first, located on the east side of June Lake Junction (Highway 395 and Highway 158). If this unit is finished within the window to stay in prescription, firefighters will move to the other side of Highway 395 to burn a 75-acre portion of the “Hartley” unit.

“There is a chance that we may go out of prescription next week and will no longer have the opportunity to burn,” said Annamaria Echeverria, Burn Boss for the project and the District Fire Management Officer for the Mono Lake Ranger District.

“However, we wanted to notify the public since the smoke and flame will be so visible. Our fire personnel are ensuring that we take this opportunity to continue work in fuels reduction, and restoring Jeffrey pine forest, especially near communities such as June Lake.”

Air quality may be impacted depending on weather conditions, and smoke is projected to drift in a northeasterly direction. After ignitions are complete, smoke may continue to be visible up to a week while resources continue mopping up. Ignitions are closely coordinated with the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District and National Weather Service meteorologists to ensure desired weather patterns and smoke dispersal.

For more information on smoke and air quality in the area, visit: fire.airnow.gov

Additional prescribed burn units may be targeted as weather patterns allow into the coming weeks and months. More information will be provided on those projects as it becomes available.

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